Engine-starter.



G. H. MYERS.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913.

AYPLIOATIOH FILED INVENTOR WIITNESSES I 3 BY I v tain'the foot plate 36elevated but yielding 16 will flow into the space or passage'15,

while the gauze 19 will prevent the inflow of particles of dirt and the-like.

Y The head 9 is formed with a central enlargement or boss 20 which may be'squared or similarly shaped for the application of;a

wrench or other suitable tool; and this thick- I cued-portion is utilized for the reception of an overflow faucet 21, and an outlet p1pe22,

the latter including a valve 23 to which reference will presently be made.

The end of the cylinder 7 having the per- Imane'ntIy closed head 8 incloses a chamber 24, which because of its function may be considered as a compressed air reservoir, and

r this chamber is entered by a pipe 25 coming from an air pump 26 provided with brackets 27 by means of which it may be secured to the front of the seat 3. The pump 26 has the usual piston rod-provided with a handle 28 within easy reach of the operator of the vehicle, so that whenever desired air may be pumped into the reservoir 24 to'maintaina supply of compressed air'therewithin.

The wall of the reservoir 24 adjacent the partition 12 is formed with a passage or port 29 extending through a threaded boss 1 30 on the exterior'of thecylinder 7and this boss receives a valve casing 31, while fast to- 30 the outerendof'thefboss 30 is a valve 32,

which may be ail ordinary flap valve and constitutes a one-way or check valve opening awayyfrom the reservoir 24:. Connected to the casing 31 is a pipe 33 continued into the hamber intoWhichthe cartridgel is introduced. and leadingto the space 15 within "said cartridge.

' The vane-23$ li e With a crank 34 connected httheendremote from the valve ito a plunger 35 extending through the' fioor 5 11315 the automo e and terminating above 'the same in'a foot plate 36,' the stem'of' the plunger 35 lbein'g surroundedlby a sprin 37 between the-foot plate andithe floor o'f the automobile and tending at a1lttimes to mainto thepressureof the foot .of the operator.

-The pipe 22 is continued from the valve 23 into-the. space covered by the hood .6 and communicates in series with valves 38 in turn connected to the explosion chamber of each engine 2. The several valvesi38 are' each provided with a crank arm 39 underthe control 'of a sliding rod-40 which is continued through the dash 4 and tthere provided with a knob 11 within easy reach of the operatorof the vehicle. Inpractice the cylinder 7 is suspended below the floor 5 by hangers 42, eithcr'in the form of yokes or of any other suitable construction, or the cylinder7 may be otherwise supported upon the vehicle 10, preferably located at about the position shown,

and when so located the filling nipple 17 is reached by way of a trap 43 in the floor 5.

Let it be assumed that the installation is completed and that'it is desired to charge the cartridge of fibrous material 14 with a suitable hydro-carbon liquid. Theotrap 4:3

is removed and the liquid is introduced into thefilling nipple 17 after'the plug. 18 has been unscrewed. The liquid flows into the 7 space 15 and is absorbed by the fibrous ma terial 14 until the latteris saturated. The faucet. 21 is allowed to remain openduring the filling operation and as soon asthe liquid-begins to flow from the faucet it is an indication that the absorbent material has I taken up all the liquid itwill hold, -so,the

filling operationmay then cease. The f'au,

cet 21 is closed and the plug- 18 is introduced into the filling ni ple 17. The spring 37 maintains the va vs. 23 normally in'the closed position, so that the operator may now grasp the pump handle 28 and reciprocate the pumppiston until therehas been caused within the chamber. 24 the desired air I pressure, and this air pressure is likewise established within the passage 15 because of the valve .32, but should for any reason the pressure within the chamber 24 be reduced below thatof the passage 15, the valve 32 will close and remain closed thereby maintaming the pressure within the passage 15, even though the pressure within'the chamber 24 should reduce to atmospheric ,pressure, 'Let itbe further assumed that the pressure within .the chamber 24 is as high as desired. The-operator now wishing to start the, engines pulls on theknob 41, thereby moving it awayfrom the dash 4. This operation opens all-the valves3 8 and if the operator'at the same time presses upon the foot plate 36 a communication is established 1 between the passage 15 and the' explosion "chambers of the several'engines 2, the pressure within the passage 15 being restored-by the superior pressure within the chambcril l. If it be, considered that the air'initially 'withinthe pipe 22 has'been forced therefrom by-the air'flowing from the passage 15 to the engine 16, then all the air passing to the cylinders has been charged with hydrocarbon vapor, it being understood that the -.hydro-'carbon liquid absorbed by the fibrous ,br iabsorbent material is of a sufficiently volatile nature for the urpose. v knob 41 may be pushed ack to its original Now the,

position, thus closing all the valves 38 and the valve 34: "may be released by the oper- I of operations is es'tablished'without further cartridge of connected to drain upon the starting mechanism, which latter is in condition to respond. to the next call upon it, and will respond to many calls without further operation of the pump 26. here is no likelihood of any explosive mixture reaching the chamber 24: to mix with the air therein. hile that within the passage 15 isusuallytoo rich to form an explosive mixture, and it is only when diluted by Whatever air or other gases there may be Within the cylinders of the engines 2 that the enriched air will respond to the. spark toot an explosive mixture into the engine.

3. An engine starter for automob les comair reservoir, means prising a compressed seat of an auto accessible from the drivers mobile for compressing air into the reservoir, means for supplying hydrocarbon vapor connected to and associated with the burn with explosive suddenness. However, compressed air reservoir, a. duct leading when such conditions are established the therefrom to the auto-mobile engine, valves in the duct. for connecting the same to the automobile engine, manually operable means connected. to the valves and within ready reach of an. operator on the cperatcfis seat of the vehicle, and another valve in. the duct between the means for supplying hy drocarbon vapor and the first named valves and provided with manipulating means Within. ready reach of an operators seat on the vehicle.

.4. An engine starter installation for automobiles comprising a compressed air reser voir, and means for supplying hydrocarbon. vapor associated in one structure and adapt ed to be supported beneath the body of the automobile, a duct leading therefrom to the engine of the vehicle and provided with valves adjacent to the engine, manipulating Within ready reach of valves 38 are closed, Wherefore the flame cannot flash back to the passage 15. What is claimed is 1. Anengine starter installation comprising a casing having a compressed air reservoir at one end and a cartridge of absorbent material in the other end with a. division Wall completely separating the compressed air chamber from the cartridge receiving en of the casing, a one-way valve exterior to the compressed air chamber and provided with a pipe leading intothe interior of the absorbent material, an air pump the casing to deliver air to the a pipe leading from the interior of the casing Within the cartridge, a valve in said pipe, means for 0perating said valve at will, other valves in the pipe leading to respective engines, and a common manipulating means for the last named valves, the air pump, the operating means for the first named valve and the operating means for the valves-leading to the engines being all associated Within ready reach of an operator and each separately controllable from the others.

2. An engine starter installation comprising a compressed air reservoir, means with in ready reach of the operator for compressing air into the reservoir, means associated with and connected to the reservoir for supplying hydrocarbon vapor, a duct leading compressed air chamber,

means for the valves the operators seat of the vehicle, and another valve in the duct adjacent to the reservoir and vapor supplying means and having manipulating means within ready reach of the operators seat and distinct from the operating means for the first-named valves.

In testimony, that i-claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aflixcd my signature in the presence 0'' two Witness CHAS. n. at r ERS.

Witnesses:

Jon'iv H. SIGGERS,

DAVID R. lVAsNna.

the hydrocarbon vapor 

